Judge Orders Trump Admin to Return Nigerian Man Deported Despite Order of Protection

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to explain how it plans to return a Nigerian man to the U.S. after ICE deported him to Africa despite an order of protection that barred his removal to Nigeria.

Etinosa Osahon was granted protection under the Convention Against Torture in 2012 after an immigration judge found that Nigerian government officials had previously tortured him and that he could face torture again if returned. Etinosa was previously hung from a tree, starved, beaten and forced to state at the sun for days by government officials in Nigeria.

He’s lived in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident since 2002, reported regularly to ICE for 14 years and has a wife and three U.S.-citizen children in California.

According to court filings, ICE detained Osahon during what he believed was a routine appointment in May and flew him to Ghana. After being told he could be sent to Nigeria, he went into hiding in Togo. Now his attorneys say he’s contracted malaria, lacks legal status and cannot access medical care.

Judge Michelle Williams Court said the Trump administration acted in “flagrant violation” of Osahon’s due-process rights. A hearing is scheduled for September 4.